Andrea Kindrick didn’t expect to win the 2013 Gatorade Arkansas Player of the Year, but when she woke up on Thursday, that’s exactly the news she received.

“I knew I was nominated,” the sophomore pitcher for the Russellville Lady Cyclones said. “But I didn’t know by whom. It’s a really big honor. I definitely didn’t expect to get it because I’m a sophomore. Usually, upper-classmen get it.”

The award, established in 1985, recognizes not only athletic achievement, but also high academic performance and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Kindrick is the first athlete from Russellville to receive the distinction.

“This is a huge, huge honor,” Russellville head coach Harley Sisson said. “It puts her on the running for the national softball player of the year as well.”

Kindrick led the Lady Cyclones (20-7) to the Class 6A state championship this season, posted a 20-4 record in the pitching circle with a 0.16 ERA and 287 strikeouts in 135 innings pitched. She allowed 42 hits, 14 walks with 13 shutouts and pitched six perfect games all season.

Kindrick was also a force behind the plate, batting .476 with four home runs, 10 doubles and 29-RBI’s.

She did this while maintaining a 3.95 GPA in the classroom, upholding her duties on the Russellville High School student council and volunteering with the Salvation Army.

“This award goes beyond softball,” Kindrick said. “It shows I care about our community. Russellville is awesome. Four hundred people came out to one of our playoff games and that’s crazy. Softball is one of the smaller sports.”

“I don’t care what area of her life it is, she’s going to do her absolute best every day,” Sisson added. “She never uses anything as an excuse to take a day off. Never.”

Kindrick emphasized that her success wasn’t an accident. It came from hard work, encouragement from her friends, family and coaches. Kindrick also credits God for her accomplishments.

“They all tie in together,” Kindrick said. “Without them, none of this would be possible. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. You can never be satisfied. The moment you think you’re the best, that’s when you start losing. That’s when you start getting worse.”

Sisson has trouble explaining just what makes Kindrick so deserving of the award. According to him, it’s easy to point out stats — Kindrick, who rode the bench for three weeks this season due to injury, was just 61 strikeouts from breaking the state record, for example — but that doesn’t accurately portray what makes her such a unique athlete.

“It’s one thing to have the physical ability she has,” Sisson said. “But then to be so down to earth and humble is just amazing. She’s the real deal in more than one way. Russellville High School, our softball program, the River Valley and the entire state are blessed to have someone like her represent us with this award.”

Kindrick doesn’t believe in accidents. According to her, everything happens for a reason. Kindrick may yet be searching for that reason, but she aims to do as much good as possible on the road there.

“She feels like God has something in store for her,” Sisson said. “He has a plan for her and she’s helping so many young softball players realize their own potential.”

“I just try to be a positive influence on people all around me, both young and old,” Kindrick explained.

“Without God none of this would have been possible. God has a plan for me and I live my life for Him and I trust my life in His hands.”